Mobile woman pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2022 beating death of 4-year-old

Mobile woman pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2022 beating death of 4-year-old

A Mobile woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the 2022 beating death of her four-year-old nephew.

WKRG is reporting Yolanda Coale, 55, entered what is termed a best-interest plea, which allows the person to plead guilty while still claiming they are innocent.

A judge set sentencing for February and allowed her to remain free on bail until then, according to FOX10.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 15 at 9 a.m.

Authorities found four-year-old King Lyons unresponsive inside a home on Feb. 3, 2022. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The boy’s aunt and caregiver, Coale, was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated child abuse. The charges were later upgraded to felony murder, after investigators said the boy was beaten with a broomstick.

Court records showed the investigators found injuries indicating long-term abuse.